Apparatus for making tapered tubular workpieces



June 22,1937. s. FINDLATER 2,084,333

,APPABA'IUS FOR MAKING TAPERED TUBULAR WORKPIEQES I Filed Dec. 29, 1954 e Sheets-Sheet; 1

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June 22, 1937. s. FINDLATER 2,084,333

APPARATUS FOR MAKING TAPERED TUBULAR WQRKPIECE'S Filed Dec. 29, 1954 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 "ZJW M 1720821502: 57El/EN5ON fimxmg S. FINDLATER June 22; 1937.

APPARATUS FOR MAKING TAPERED TUBULAR WORKPIECES Filed Dec. 29, 1-934 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 [Wei bio? June 22, 1937. s. FINDLATER 2,084,333

APPARATUS FOR MAKING TAPERED TUBULAR WORKPIECES Filed Deq. 29, 1934 -6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Invenfor: 5TE1/E/v5o/v F/A/DL TEE,

6/5 )Qfornegs J1me s. FINDLATER v 2,084,333

APPARATUS FOR MAKING TAPERED TUBULAR WORKPIEGES Filed Dec. 29, 1934 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 liweidar: 5 TE l/ENSON F7NDL/7 TEE,

June 22, 1937. v s. FINDLATER 2,084,333

APPARATUS FOR MAKING TAPERED TUBULAR WQRKPIECES vFiled Dec. 29, 1934 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Fig.5.

30* 70 6'5 [5 66- 70 *J/ l g such manner as to provide a constant change in- Patented June 22, 1937 UNITED STATES APPARATUS FOR MAKING TAPERED TUBU- LAR WORKPIECES Stevenson Findlater, McKeesport, Pa., assignor to National Tube Company, a corporation of New Jersey Application December 29, 1934, Serial No. 759,804

2 Claims. .(Cl. 80-13) to provide a novel apparatus for making tubular This invention relates to apparatus for making. tapered tubular work-pieces.

It is very desirable, under some circumstances, to obtain hollow articles having a tapering wall thickness; as, for example, in lamp posts, con-'- structional sections of various types, and the like. Such articles are usually obtained by welding in their inner and outer diameters but none in the 10 thickness of their walls.

In a co-pending application filed December 29, 1934, entitled Method and apparatus for making tapered work-pieces, and bearing Serial No.

759,803, I have disclosed a novel combination of 15 elements which operate to provide a hollow article, or work-piece, whose internal diameter is substantially constant, but whose external diameter is varied with the result that its wall thickness is tapered. The work-piece thus obtained has many and varied uses, but it is often desirable m size of the pass of a pipe or tube mill due to the expansive influence of the highly heated workpiece.

The temperature of a seamless pipe or tube mill is usually no higher at the end of a long period of operation than it was at the beginning.

This is for the reason that the mill is started without cooling water on the rolls and heated billets passed therethrough until the rolls acquire a desired temperature. At this time the ,0 rolls are sprayed with water in order that the temperature will not rise greatly beyond that desired. In this manner the general temperature of the mill is maintained as desired, but as each highly heated billet, or work-piece, moves ,5 through it, the temperature of the rolls, mandrel and mandrel bar is temporarily raised. This temporary rise in-temperature causes a correspondingly temporary expansion of these elements. The temporary expansion of the rolls and man- 0 drel is slightibut that of the mandrel bar is very appreciable due to its substantial length. The effects of this expansion are overcome by the use of the invention disclosed in my co-pending application, Serial No. 754,169. I

It is one of the objects of the present invention tapered work-pieces by the use of which the external diameter of the work-piece is maintained substantially unchanged, while the internal diameter thereof is varied toprovide the taper.

Another object is the provision of a novel apparatus of the class described which may be inexpensively and conveniently applied to existing types of pipe and tube mills and one which operates automatically, due provision being made for temperature variations in the Work-piece.

The foregoing and further objects will be apparent after referring to the drawings, in which:

Figures 1 and 1 are a plan of a part of the apparatus of the invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view on the line 11-11 of Figure 1 Figure 3 is a view on the line IIIIII of Figure 2.

Figures 4 and 5 are electrical circuits for operating the various elements of the invention. Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is disclosed a conventional seamless pipe or tube mill of the well known "Stiefel type, comprising a pair of cone-shaped metal-working rolls A between which there is disposed a mandrel plug B. In this figure of the drawings one of the coneshaped metal-working rolls A is shown as being motivated by a suitable electric motor 58, while its counterpart may be driven by a similar device or, if desired, from the same motor through suitable gearing. It is not believed necessary to illustrate either mode of operation of the second metal-working roll A, and such is therefore omitted for the sake of simplicity.

The numeral 2 designates a support for the apparatus of the invention. A mandrel bar carriage 3 is mounted on the support 2 for sliding movement therewith, in order to adjustably position a mandrel bar 4, and its associated mandrel plug B with respect to the rolls A of the mill. The end of the mandrel bar 4 is secured to the carriage 3 in any suitable manner as, for example, by a coupling 4 on the extension 3 of a thrust bearing located immediately atv the rear thereof.

A support 5 is pivoted to the frame 2, as at 5*, and provided with a horizontally disposed shaft 6 adjacent the upper surface of the mandrel bar carriage 3. A pair of links 8 is secured to the shaft 6 and is adapted, by suitable mechanism, to move the support 5 about the pivot 5 A motor 9 is secured to the frame 2 and provided with the usual motorshaft 9 and coupling III, for connecting the same to the shaft llof a gear reduction and a coupling |2 for connection to a shaft I3 which is journaled in a bearing H. A magnetic clutch i5 is disposed adjacent the bearing l4 for clutching-in a shaft IS. A worm i1 is mounted on the shaft l6 for rotating a worm gear 24. The worm gear 24 is provided with a suitably journaled elongated sleeve portion 24', on which it is mounted. The elongated sleeve portion 24 is internally screw-threaded for engagement with a screw 25, which is secured to one of the links 8 by a pin 23. The otherend of the shaft I3 is provided with a coupling |8 to which there is secured a shaft I! on which there is mounted a worm 20. The shaft I9 is secured at its other end to the shaft 23 of a motor 23, by means of a coupling 2|.

The worm 28 is adapted to cooperate with a worm gear 28 which is mounted on a suitably journaled elongated sleeve 28*. The elongated sleeve 26 is internally screw-threaded to receive a screw 21, whichis secured to the free end of the other of the links 8 by a pin 21".

A magnetic brake "is provided for the motor 23. A latch I is secured to the horizontal shaft 6 and is adapted to make contact on its outer end with a wear-plate 3 which is secured to the man-' drelbar carriage 3. Y

The horizontal shaft 3 and latch I, which is secured thereto, are adapted to be partially ro- I tated by means of a rod 1*, which issecured to the shaft 3 at one of its ends in a suitable manner, and to the piston of an air cylinder 1' at its other end.

A suitable and conventional electrical wiring circuit including a pyrometer device, relays, and preferably also push-buttons, is provided for the motors 9 and 23, the magnetic clutch device l5 and the magnetic brake 28 for they motor 23.

The rotation of the motor 9 is automatically compensated for differences in the resistance to metal displacement caused by introducing metal of varying temperatures into the rolls. The operation is such that the variations in temperature of the work-piece being processed, as measured'by .photoelectric, optical, radiation. pyrometer, or other heat responsive device, will be transmitted to the motor 9 in such manner as to increase or retard the rotation thereof, thereby varying the rate of withdrawal of the mandrel bar carriage 3. This is for the reason that, as the mandrel bar carriage 3 is withdrawn the plug B on the end of the mandrel bar 4 will move away from the. metal working rolls A and thus. allow the wall thickness of the work-piece X to increase with no accompanying increase in its external diameter. The modification in the rate of withdrawal, which is effected by the heat responsive device thus compen'sates for differences in resistance to metal displacement caused by temperature variations. That is tosay, the withdrawal is accelerated if the work-piece is highly heated, as it responds more readily to displacement and does not require a more severe processing action which would be necessitated if it were less highly heated. Thus, varying temperature conditions in successive areas of a single work-piece will not affect the final result.

In operation, upon the entry of the work-piece X into the rolls A of the mill, the motor 9, magnetic clutch l5 and magnetic brake 28 are energized through the load relays, or suitable pushbuttons described. As before stated, the rate at which the motor operates is controlled through suitable resistance, modified by the action of the heat responsive device. The motion transmitted by the motor 9, gear reduction II and shaft it, through the magnetic clutch l3, is'transmitted to the worm coupling l8 and, by means of the shaft l9, the worm 20. The worms l1 and 29 will rotate the worm gears 24 and 23, and their respective sleeves 24' and '23. This action will cause the screws 23 and 21 to draw the links 3 and attached support. 3 backward, or away from the mill, and accordingly the same movement of the mandrel bar 4 'and the plug B on the other end thereof. A tendency of the plug, mandrel bar and mandrel bar carriage to move backwardly will, of course, be caused by the action of the workpiece in the mill. This motion will be slowly perdrel bar must be quickly returned in order to position the mandrel plug in its initial position in the mill, before the next tube or work-piece is introduced into the rolls.

The operator attending the device, or a suitable relay, momentarily energizes the magnetic brake 28 for the motor 23. This operation at the same time instantaneously deenergizes the magnetic clutch l3 and disengages the motor I. The 'motor 23 is then actuated to reverse the direction of rotation of the'worms 23 and H to rapidly return the support 3 to position preparatory to rolling the next work-piece. At the proper and predetermined position, the actionof the motor 23 is arrested by a suitable limit switch, which also applies the brake 28 for the motor 23.

As before stated, the motor 23 will rotate when the action of themotor 9 withdraws the mandrel bar carriage but, upon the return stroke of the carriage, when the motor 23 is energized, the

' magnetic clutch i3. is deenergized, preventing rotation of the gear reduction, generally indicated at H, and the motor 9.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings, I have disclosed in a diagram one form of electric'al control which will function to operate the elements of the invention in the manner previously described. In this diagram the numerals 30 and 3| designate suitable power lines carrying normal voltage; such as 220 volts.

In order to satisfactorily control the operation of the motor 9, a wire 33 is connected between the power lines 30 and 3|, and includes a start ing switch 34 and a coil 33. 'A line 33 connects the line as, between the power line 3| and the starting switch, 34, to the line 33, between the starting switch 34 and the coil 33.

This line 36 includes a manually operable stopping switch 38 and a pair of contacts 33 which are operated by the coil 33. A line 39 connects the line 33,-between the contacts 33 and the line 33, with the line 33. between the coil 33 and the power line 3|. This line includes a coil 43 and a pair of contacts 33", the latter also being operated by,the coilv 33. A line 4| is connected to the line 36, between the contacts 33' and the line 33, and to the line 39'between the coil '43 and the contacts 33". This line 4| has included in its circuit a pair of coils 42 and 43 and an auxiliary magnetic switch 44.

The motor 9 is connected between the power lines 36 and 3| by a line 46 which includes two pairs of contacts, as at 42 and 43, which are operated by the coils 42 and 43, respectively. This line 46 also includes a pair of contacts 46 between the power lines 36 and the motor 9, and a pair of contacts 46 between the contacts 42 and 43 and the power line 3|. The contacts 46 and 46 are operated by the coil 46, and likewise the auxiliary contacts 44.

The photoelectric pyrometer device, which is generally indicated at X, is connected by a line 48 with a series of relays 49, 56, 52, 53 and 54. These relays form a part of a field rheostat 55 which effects an automatic speed adjustment for the motor 9. Each of these relays is adjusted to trip at a definite temperature. This field rheostat 55 is connected between the power lines 36 and 3| by a line 56. This line 56 has included therein, between the power line 36 and the field rheostat 55, the shunt field for the motor 9, which is designated at 9, and a hand-operated rheostat 51.

Referring to Figure 5 of the drawings, it is to be noted that the motor for rotating the metal working rolls A is diagrammatically shown at 58, being connected by a line 59 between suitable power lines 66 and 6|. While one motor. 58 is illustrated in the drawings and may be employed to drive both of the metal working rolls through the medium of suitable gearing (not shown), the invention also contemplates the driving of each roll with an individual motor. The motor 58 is continuously driven as long as the mill is operating. The power lines 66 and 6| supply the motor 58 with current of a considerably higher voltage than that furnished through the power lines 36 and 3|; as, for instance. 600 volts. A shunt 65 is included in the line 59 between the power line 66 and the motor 58. A pair of lines 66 and 61 connect the shunt 65 with a load relay 68. The

magnetic clutch l5which is carried on the shaft I6 is connected between the power lines 36 and 3| by a line 16, which has included therein two pairs of contacts, as at 68 and 68", one on either side of the magnetic clutch. The magnetic brake 28 is connected by a line 1| with the power lines 36 and 3| and includes in its circuit two pairs of contacts, as at 85 and 85. A line 13 is connected to the line 16 between the power line 36, and the contacts 68 and to the line 1| between the contacts 85 and the magnetic brake 28.. This line 13 includes a pair of contacts 68. A similar line 14 is connected to the line 16 between the power line 3| and the contacts 68 and to the line 1| between the contacts 85 and the magnetic brake 28. This line 14 carries a pair of contacts 68 In order to satisfactorily control the operation of the motor 23 which functions to rapidly return the mandrel bar carriage to its initial position, a line 11 is connected between the power lines 36 and 3| and has included thereina starting switch 18, a limit switch 19 and a coil 86. A line 8| connects the line 11, between the power line 36 and the starting switch 18 with the line 11 between the starting switch 18 and the limit switch 19. This line 8| includes a stopping switch 83, and a pair of contacts 86, the latter 11 between the coil 86 and the power line 3|.

The line 84 has included in its circuit a pair of coils 85 and a pair of contacts 86", the latter being operated by the coil 86. A line 81 is connected to the line 8| between the contacts 88 and the limit switch 19, and to the line 84 between the coils 85 and the contacts 86". This line 81 includes in its circuit a pair of coils 88, 89 and an auxiliary switch 85 the latter being operated by the coils 85. The coils 85 of the line 84, in addition to operating the auxiliary magnetic switch 85*, also operate the contacts 85 and 85 in the line 1|.

The motor 23 is connected between the power lines 36 and 3| by a line 96 which has included therein a pair of contacts 88*- and 89 which are operated by the coils 88 and 89, respectively, of v theline 81.

motor 23, which is designated at 23, and a handoperated rheostat 93. The energization' of the load relay 68 closes the contacts 68 and 68 in the line 16, and the contacts 68and 68 in the lines 13 and 14, respectively. The limit switch 19 is arranged in such manner as-to be opened by the movement of the mandrel bar carriage 3 to its original position in the mill, prior to the processing of a work-piece.

In operation: The operator of the mill closes the starting switch 34 for the motor 9, thus energizing the coil 35 (which is maintained by its contacts 35 thus closing the contacts 35 and 35 and energizing the coil 46 to closethe contacts 46 and 46 The closing of these contacts and the contacts of the auxiliary switch 44, which they effect, starts the motor 9 which will attain a speed of rotation which is predetermined by the setting of the hand-operated rheostat 51. The closing of the contacts of the auxiilary switch 44 energizes the coils 42 and 43,

thus closing] the contacts 42 and 43.

As the work-piece enters the mill, the power required by the motor 58 in driving the metal working rolls A passes through the shunt 65. This causes a voltage drop across the shunt, and energizes the load relay 68, which causes the closing of the contacts 68 68 68 and 68 The closing of these contacts energizes the magnetic clutch I5, and the magnetic brake 28. The accompanying coupling of the clutch and the release of the brake mechanically connects the motor 9, which is running, as previously mentioned. The motor 9 withdraws the mandrel bar carriage 3 of the mill at a speed which is predetermined by the setting of the hand-operated rheostat 51. This, as previously mentioned, produces an increase in the wall thickness of the work-piece. The setting of'the hand-operated rheostat is such that the mandrel B will be slowly but constantly withdrawn from between the metal-working rolls A which, if the workpiece X were cold, would be suflicient to constantly decrease the internal diameter'(and accordingly increase the wall-thickness) of the work-piece. Due to the temporary rise in temperature of the metal-working elements of the mill and the corresponding expansion of the mandrel bar 4, and to a slight extent the mandrel B and rolls A, the rate of withdrawal of the mandrel B must be. accelerated to a rate beyond that required if the work-piece were cold. This acceleration is accomplished by the relays 88 through 58, each of which is adjusted to trip at a definite temperature.

The photoelectric pyrometer device, which is generally designated at Z, is set for a predetermined temperature indication, and if the temperature of the work-piece, as it passes the point upon which it is trained, is either above or below this indication, the relays 49 through 58, in-' elusive, are individually and progressively excited and caused to function. The functioning of these relays will include, or delete, sections of the field rheostat 55 to increase, or decrease, the speed of operation of the motor 8. It will'thus be seen that the rate of withdrawal of the mandrel bar carriage 3 is in direct proportion to the temperature of the work-piece being processed in the mill. That is to say, the pass will be constantly enlarged regardless of variations resulting from expansion which is, in turn, due to temperature changes.

The power required by the motor, or motors, 58 which drives the metal working rolls of the mill will approach zero after the trailing end of the work-piece has emerged therefrom. This causes the voltage drop across the shunt 65 to approach zero and, in consequence thereof, the

deenergization of the load relay 88. The deenergization of this load relay opens the contacts 68, 58, 58 and 68 to deenergize the I magnetic clutch i5 and the magnetic brake 28.

This last operation uncouples the clutch and applies the brake to stop the motor 8.

After the operator has removed the work-piece from the mill from the usual discharge trough (not shown) and returns the mandrel bar to its initial position, he operates the starting switch 18 for the motor 23. The operation of the starting switch 18 for the motor 23 energizesthe coil 88 (which is'maintained by one 'of its contacts 88') and closes the contacts and 80"; thus energizing the coils 85. The energization of the coils closes the contacts 85!, 85 85 and 85 and the contacts of the auxiliary switch 85' to energize and release the magnetic brake 28 and start the motor 23. 1'

The speed attained by the motor is predetermined by the setting of the hand-operated rheostat 93, after the closing of the contacts of the auxiliary switch 85. The closing of the auxiliary switch 85 energizes the coils 88 and 88, which close the contacts 88 and 88'.-

The motor 23 will operate to return the mandrel bar carriage 3 to its original position in. the mill, which is predetermined by the location of the limit switch 18, the latter opening when this position is reached. The opening of this limit switch deenergizes the coil 88,thus opening the contacts 88 and 88, thereby stopping the operation of the motor 23 and effecting the application of the magnetic brake 28, all by the opening of the various contacts 85, 85", 85 and 85, and the contacts of the auxiliary switch 85, which is causedby the deenergization or the coils 85.

The equipment is now ready for another cycle of operation, which is effected by the entry of a second work-piece between the rolls of the mill which are driven by the motor 58. This effects li a second voltage drop across the shunt 85, a

which energizes the load relay 88, thus repeating the operation previously described.

While I have shown and described. certain specific embodiments of my invention, it will be 1| imderstood that I do not wish to be limited exactly thereto, since various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of my invention, as defined by the following claims.

I claim: 21

disposed intermediate said rolls, means for withdrawing said mandrel plug todncrease the distance between the surfaces of said mandrel plug and said rolls while a work-piece. is being acted upon thereby, means responsive to the temperature of said work-piece for modifying the speed of operation of said withdrawing means, said withdrawing means and Said last named means -being constructed and cooperatively arranged to increase the distance be-' tween the surfaces of said mandrel plug and said 3 rolls'while said-pipe or tubev is being acted upon thereby, and means for returning the withdrawn mandrel plug to its initial position.

2. Apparatus for making tubular work-pieces comprising, in combination, at least one power 4 actuated metal working roll, a roll for coactinfl with said first named roll, a mandrel bar, a man- 'drel plug supported by said mandrel bar, said mandrel plug being disposed intermediate said rolls, means for withdrawing said mandrel bar 4 and said mandrel plug to increase the distance between the surfaces of said mandrel plug and, said rolls while a work-piece is being acted upon thereby, means responsive to the temperature "of said work-piece for modifying the speed of opi eration of said withdrawing means, said with-' drawing means and said last named means being constructed and cooperatively arranged to in-.

crease the distance between the surface of said mandrel plug and said rolls while said workpiece is being acted upon thereby, and means for returning the withdrawn mandrel bar and mandrel plug to their initial positions.

STEVENSON FINDLATER. i 

